Soccer: Prandelli fights back after Conte's venom

Italy coach says had right to call up Chiellini

(By Paul Virgo)
(ANSA) - Rome, March 3 - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli
responded on Monday after Juventus boss Antonio Conte called him
impolite for not telephoning before including defender Giorgio
Chiellini in his squad for Wednesday's friendly against Spain.

Chiellini has not played for three weeks because of a calf
problem and was an unused substitute in Serie A leaders Juve's
2-0 win at AC Milan on Sunday.

Conte said he only called Chiellini up for the Milan match
to enable to him to get back into the big-match spirit but never
had any intention of using him because he wanted the player's
recovery to continue this week.

"I'm sorry to see him called up," Conte said in the press
conference after Sunday's win that enabled Juve to move 11
points clear at the top of Serie A.

"Often the (Azzurri) coach asks for cooperation and we give
lots because we supply lots of the players to the national team.

"I'd have expected a call. I don't think this type of
behaviour is very polite".
Prandelli hit back Monday, saying that if anyone should
have called, it was Juve.
"Chiellini was available (for Juve) and I have the right to
call up players on the bench (in the league game before national
duty)," Prandelli said.

"I'm the one who was expecting a call from (Juve general
manager Beppe) Marotta".
Prandelli has often complained that the Italian soccer
league and top-flight clubs do not do enough to support the
national team, saying no one cares about the Azzurri between
major tournaments.

He was especially critical after failing to get the clubs
to release players for a series of one-day training meetings in
the run-up to Euro 2012.

But this is the first time he has had such a big bust-up
with a club coach since taking over the national team.

Despite the row, Prandelli confirmed reports that he is
thinking of renewing his contract.
Until recently Prandelli had been expected to step down as
Azzurri coach after this year's World Cup in Brazil, having
frequently said he missed club soccer.
"Something has changed," Prandelli said when asked about
reports he was now willing to stay on if given enhanced powers,
including greater influence over the youth national teams.
"Now I'm thinking about a renewal (of my contract).

"I'm not dictating terms, but there is a technical
project. We'll talk about it in the middle of march".
Former Fiorentina boss Prandelli took over a national team
in disarray after Italy's embarrassing group-stage exit at the
2010 World Cup.
He rejuvenated the side and managed to get them playing an
attractive offensive style that saw them reach the final of Euro
2012 and qualify for the 2014 World Cup with two matches to
spare, even though the current squad has fewer stars than teams
of the past.

Prandelli also commented on his decision to drop Daniele De
Rossi, on the basis of the national team's code of conduct,
after the Roma midfielder punched Inter striker Mauro Icardi
during Sunday's 0-0 draw at the Olimpico.

"I'm the judge of certain acts. I don't want to get to the
World Cup unprepared and find us with 10 on the field. That's
why I can't accept reckless gestures," said Prandelli, who
dropped De Rossi before the player was given a three-match ban
for the punch.
"The code is clear".